Physical Education

This is an archived copy of the 2021-22 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.ndsu.edu.

Major Requirements

Major: Physical Education

Degree Type: B.A. or B.S.
Minimum Degree Credits to Graduate: 120

University Degree Requirements

  1. Satisfactory completion of all requirements of the curriculum in which one is enrolled.
  2. Earn a minimum total of 120 credits in approved coursework.  Some academic programs exceed this minimum.
  3. Satisfactory completion of the general education requirements as specified by the university.
  4. A minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU.
  5. At least 36 credits presented for graduation must be in courses numbered 300 or higher.
  6. Transfer Students: Must earn a minimum of 60 credits from a baccalaureate-degree granting or professional institution. 
    1. Of these 60, at least 36 must be NDSU resident credits as defined in #7.
    2. Within the 36 resident credits, a minimum of 15 must be in courses numbered 300 or higher and 15 credits in the major field of study.
  7. At least 36 credits must be NDSU resident credits.  Resident credits include credits registered and paid for at NDSU.

For complete information, please refer to the Degree and Graduation Requirements section of this Bulletin.

University General Education Requirements

Communication (C)12
College Composition I
College Composition II
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Upper Division Writing
Quantitative Reasoning (R) 3
Science and Technology (S) 10
Humanities and Fine Arts (A) 6
Social and Behavioral Sciences (B) 6
Wellness (W) 2
Cultural Diversity (D) *†
Global Perspectives (G) *†
Total Credits39
  •  A list of university approved general education courses and administrative policies are available here.

Major Requirements

Physical Education Core Requirements
HNES 110Introduction to Health and Physical Education 13
HNES 211Successful Coaching 11
HNES 217Personal and Community Health 12-3
or HNES 100 Concepts of Fitness & Wellness
or HNES 111 Wellness
HNES 255Professional Preparation in Middle School Physical Education 43
HNES 301Motor Learning and Performance 33
HNES 336Methods Of Coaching 33
HNES 367Principles of Conditioning 33
PSYC 111Introduction to Psychology (May satisfy general education category B)3
Option: Select either the K-12 Teaching Licensure Option or the Coaching & Physical Activity Leadership Option52 or 54
Total Credits73-76

K-12 Teacher Licensure Option 

HDFS 230Life Span Development (May satisfy general education category B) 23
or PSYC 250 Developmental Psychology
HNES 254Curriculum, Standards and Assessment in Physical Education 13
HNES 256Professional Preparation in High School Physical Education 13
HNES 257Professional Preparation in Elementary School Activities 13
HNES 350Fitness Education Activities and Materials 13
HNES 353Adapted Physical Education 13
HNES 461Administrative and Social Aspects of Physical Education and Athletics 13
Professional Education Requirements
EDUC 321Introduction to Teaching3
EDUC 322Educational Psychology3
EDUC 451Instructional Planning, Methods and Assessment 13
EDUC 481Classroom Practice Methods of Teaching I: (PE K-12 section) 23
EDUC 485Student Teaching Seminar1
EDUC 486Classroom Management for Diverse Learners3
EDUC 487Student Teaching9
EDUC 488Applied Student Teaching3
EDUC 489Teaching Students of Diverse Backgrounds3
Total Credits52

 Coaching and Physical Activity Leadership Option

HDFS 230Life Span Development3
HDFS 330Child Development3
HDFS 340Adolescent Development3
HNES 190Introduction to Sport Management3
HNES 226Socio-Cultural Dimension in Sport3
HNES 250Nutrition Science3
HNES 274Introduction to Youth and Interscholastic Sport3
HNES 324Sport and Event Management3
HNES 349Advanced Coaching3
HNES 431Governance, Policy, Legal Liability and Ethics in Sport3
HNES 485Sport Management Internship12
PSYC 340Psychology in Sport3
Electives:9
Human Communication
Interpersonal Communication
Educational Psychology
Instructional Planning, Methods and Assessment
Teaching Students of Diverse Backgrounds
Parent-Child Relations
Sport Promotion and Public Relations
Adapted Physical Education
Managing Sport Facilities
Anaerobic Exercise Prescription and Advanced Resistance Training Techniques
Social Interaction
Cultural Diversity
Total Credits54

Degree Requirements and Notes

  • K-12 Teacher Licensure Option
    • A GPA of 2.75 or better is required for placement in student teaching and to exit from the program.
    • A GPA of 2.75 or better is required within the professional education requirements and students must take the Praxis II Subject Assessment and PLT to exit the program.
    • Courses taken Pass/Fail will not be used to satisfy any requirements other than total credits.
    • See School of Education for admission requirements.
  • Coaching and Physical Activity Leadership Option
    • A GPA of 2.75 or better is required to exit from the program.
    • Courses taken Pass/Fail will not be used to satisfy any requirements other than total credits.